The Sounds of Silence
The heart truly has its wisdom which it speaks in silence. We receive its message only if we have the ears to hear...
I reflected on this, as I stood on the boat launch area by the Potomac River after visiting my acupuncturist. The river was calm, and the trees on the other side of the river which had triumphantly unfurled its leaves in defiance of winter, were clearly reflected in the waters. I was surrounded by a verdant explosion of green on the riverbanks.
I took the time to review and savor some gems of wisdom from Todd Norian's recent newsletter, and even used some of his insights in my own comments in class this week. Todd is an Anusara Yoga certified teacher, and is sometimes referred to as a "teacher's teacher."
Todd is also a musician, and he shared his experience about listening to a recording for a project he was working on - and being able to hear the sounds behind the sounds - in the tracks he had just laid down. These were not sounds initially heard during the recording - but they were evident afterwards. His experience reminded me of what it is like to sit in meditation, and to unexpectedly, in the absolute quiet and stillness, hear sounds that cannot normally be perceived. These are moments of sheer grace, when one is gifted with the experience of seeing or hearing things that go beyond the boundaries or the capabilities of the five senses - such as the sound that emanates from our energy centers, from our spine, or from the heart of the cosmos...
Recently, I re-posted an audio file of the sounds that were detected as emanating from the planet Jupiter by NASA's Space Voyager. Not only did the sounds seem to mirror a profound "OM" - the sound of the Divine, of creation, and of Universal Consciousness - but it also a reflection of what I have heard in deepest meditation...
This is an excerpt from Todd's newsletter:
"The wisdom of the heart is always playing its music in you like a soft flute. But with a busy mind we can't hear it. Michael Neil calls the busy mind a brass band. It overpowers the flute. When in the optimal environment, the ind naturally has a slow and steady idle. We need to take time each day to quiet the brass band of the mind and create space inside to hear the flute of the heart, the sound behind the sound...
The next time you find yourself enjoying a moment and your mind becomes calm; indulge in the calmness a bit. Stay in Savasana a little longer. Extend your walk a little more if you can, and listen to the wisdom of your heart. Listen to the silence. Savor the sacred moments of being serenaded by the sweetness of the sound of your heart flute, the sound beneath the sound. When will you do this? Life is short. How about today?"
I reflected on this, as I stood on the boat launch area by the Potomac River after visiting my acupuncturist. The river was calm, and the trees on the other side of the river which had triumphantly unfurled its leaves in defiance of winter, were clearly reflected in the waters. I was surrounded by a verdant explosion of green on the riverbanks.
I took the time to review and savor some gems of wisdom from Todd Norian's recent newsletter, and even used some of his insights in my own comments in class this week. Todd is an Anusara Yoga certified teacher, and is sometimes referred to as a "teacher's teacher."
Todd is also a musician, and he shared his experience about listening to a recording for a project he was working on - and being able to hear the sounds behind the sounds - in the tracks he had just laid down. These were not sounds initially heard during the recording - but they were evident afterwards. His experience reminded me of what it is like to sit in meditation, and to unexpectedly, in the absolute quiet and stillness, hear sounds that cannot normally be perceived. These are moments of sheer grace, when one is gifted with the experience of seeing or hearing things that go beyond the boundaries or the capabilities of the five senses - such as the sound that emanates from our energy centers, from our spine, or from the heart of the cosmos...
Recently, I re-posted an audio file of the sounds that were detected as emanating from the planet Jupiter by NASA's Space Voyager. Not only did the sounds seem to mirror a profound "OM" - the sound of the Divine, of creation, and of Universal Consciousness - but it also a reflection of what I have heard in deepest meditation...
This is an excerpt from Todd's newsletter:
"The wisdom of the heart is always playing its music in you like a soft flute. But with a busy mind we can't hear it. Michael Neil calls the busy mind a brass band. It overpowers the flute. When in the optimal environment, the ind naturally has a slow and steady idle. We need to take time each day to quiet the brass band of the mind and create space inside to hear the flute of the heart, the sound behind the sound...
The next time you find yourself enjoying a moment and your mind becomes calm; indulge in the calmness a bit. Stay in Savasana a little longer. Extend your walk a little more if you can, and listen to the wisdom of your heart. Listen to the silence. Savor the sacred moments of being serenaded by the sweetness of the sound of your heart flute, the sound beneath the sound. When will you do this? Life is short. How about today?"
"Which is worth more, a crowd of thousands,
or your own genuine solitude?
Freedom, or power over an entire nation.
A little while alone in your room
will prove more valuable than anything else
that could ever be given you."
~ Rumi
"Your old life was a frantic running
from silence.
The speechless full moon
comes out now."
~ Rumi
"A great silence overcomes me,
and I wonder why I ever thought
to use language."
~ Rumi
"There is a community of the spirit.
Join it, and feel the delight
of walking in the noisy street,
and being the noise."
~ Rumi
"Observe the wonders
as they occur around you.
Don't claim them.
Feel the artistry
moving though,
and be silent."
~ Rumi
or your own genuine solitude?
Freedom, or power over an entire nation.
A little while alone in your room
will prove more valuable than anything else
that could ever be given you."
~ Rumi
"Your old life was a frantic running
from silence.
The speechless full moon
comes out now."
~ Rumi
"A great silence overcomes me,
and I wonder why I ever thought
to use language."
~ Rumi
"There is a community of the spirit.
Join it, and feel the delight
of walking in the noisy street,
and being the noise."
~ Rumi
"Observe the wonders
as they occur around you.
Don't claim them.
Feel the artistry
moving though,
and be silent."
~ Rumi
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